If you’ve ever found yourself unbearably hot in your home, peeling your clothes off and sticking to your furniture, you may start to ask yourself some questions. You have an air conditioner, so why can’t you seem to keep the temperature down? If your house is unbearably warm, especially during the hotter months, it’s worth exploring why it might be this way.
The good news is that it often comes down to a few simple reasons that are fairly easy to fix. With a little bit of know-how and follow-through, you should cool down your home in no time. Here are some potential causes for why your home feels like an oven and what you can do to change it.
Your Air Conditioner Needs Servicing
Sometimes your air conditioning system isn’t performing at its peak, and it’s time to call an HVAC expert. If your home starts to feel more like a sauna than a sanctuary, then it’s probably a sign of an aging unit. If you’re lucky, it’s as simple as changing an air filter or cleaning a dirty condenser coil.
However, you may need to replace your unit entirely. Annual maintenance by a licensed professional is a must. This ensures your vents and ducts are clean and unobstructed, and helps catch any issues early on before they become major problems.
Heat-Producing Appliances
Things like your stove, dishwasher, and dryer can generate a surprising amount of heat throughout your home. If you run a few of these appliances at once, especially during the hottest part of the year, then it’s no wonder your indoor temperature is spiking.
Try to adjust your habits slightly during warmer months. For example, cook in the early morning or late evening when it’s cooler outside, and ditch the dryer. Hang your clothes outside or on a hanger next to an open window. This will make a huge difference in your home’s overall heat levels—and not to mention, help reduce your energy bill.
Poor Airflow
One of the most important aspects of keeping your home cool is ensuring proper airflow and ventilation. If you live in an extremely hot area, you might want to consider installing ceiling fans. Otherwise, you can strategically place box fans throughout the home to promote air circulation. Consider installing exhaust fans in areas like the kitchen and bathroom to draw hot air out, instead of letting it flow throughout the rest of the house.
If you’ve failed to properly set up an airflow system in your home, it can get extremely hot. Hot air becomes trapped—especially in upper levels or closed-off rooms. Not to mention, your house will probably start to smell unpleasant since air is stagnant and failing to circulate.